Tire Pressure and Snow

[bcredliner]

Traction is much different that responsiveness and stability.

The article does not state winter tires should be inflated 3-5 lbs. more than recommended pressure for that winter tire. It reads that winter tires should be inflated 3-5 lbs. more that the recommended inflation of summer tires.

Nor does the article state the reason to do this is to increase traction. It says the 3-5 lbs. will improve responsiveness and stability--that is to say the extra inflation will result in less side to side tire role so steering input response is quicker and more predictable as will be response to braking pressure.

To improve traction reduce tire pressure.

The sticky wicket is that when the tire pressure is decreased the handling of the vehicle changes. If the pressure is lowered too much the vehicle will become dangerous to drive.

Even knowing decreasing the tire pressure improves traction, I have never chosen that route unless I was stuck and it was the last resort. A couple of pounds, maybe, but handling goes away so fast I really don't like doing that. If the tires don't provide the necessary traction either I should not be on the road or I need different tires.

As mentioned, rock climbers reduce the pressure for maximum traction for a difficult climb/drop. If possible, they would like to increase the tire pressure after they get past that section as they may have a fast section coming up where they will need responsiveness and stability rather than greater traction.